Metascore®Generally favorable reviewsbased on a weighted average of allcritic review scores.

60

out of 100

Wall Street JournalJoe Morgenstern

The scenery, effects and balletic, iconic combats are perfectly wonderful, but there's an emotional black hole where the hero should be.

67

out of 100

Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman

The one figure in Revenge of the Sith who taps the true spirit of Star Wars is Ewan McGregor: With his beautiful light, clipped delivery, he plays Alec Guinness' playfulness, making Obi-Wan a marvel of benevolent moxie.

The final episode of George Lucas' cinematic epic "Star Wars" ends the six-movie series on such a high note that one feels like yelling out, "Rewind!" Yes, rewind through more than 13 hours of bravery, treachery, new worlds, odd creatures and human frailty.

Parents need to know that the third and final film in the Star Wars prequel trilogy contains a few moments of graphic violence, as well as the transformation of a beloved character from good to bad. The movie chronicles the fall of Anakin Skywalker and his transformation into Darth Vader. The plot and characters grapple with some complicated moral issues and occasionally embrace shades of grey. In a sequence of surprising detail for a Star Wars film, viewers see Anakin burn in a pit of lava, with his skin turning into cinders. This particular scene earns the film its PG-13 rating; we recommend extreme caution and consideration when deciding whether younger children can handle viewing something that's this emotionally and graphically violent.

Families can talk about how the movie's violence impacts the story. Was it disturbing to watch Anakin's transformation into Darth Vader? Why or why not?

How does this movie compare to others in the series? Do you think each movie should be equally intense, or was it OK that this film be more violent and darker than the others?

How does Anakin deal with anger in this movie? What are some other options for managing frustration and disappointment? What are the two sides of the Force?

The good stuff

Messages: Unlike other films in the series, the messages in this installment aren't quite as clear, perhaps because the storyline focuses so sharply on a leading character's fall from grace, so the movie must embrace shades of grey in terms of morality. At the same time, the lines between good and evil are clearly defined, even if evil seems to win in the film's final act.

Role models: These are the same brave, self-sacrificing, noble characters we have come to know from previous films. But because the film's story chronicles a leading character's descent into evil and darkness, there are far fewer strong role models here.

What to watch for

Violence: As with other entries in the series, the violence in this film is primarily centered around sci-fi battles in space and characters using blasters and laser swords. But there are a few powerful moments of specific violence -- for example the off-screen death of children and the beheading of a central villain. Perhaps most graphic is the final visual transformation of the film's hero into an iconic villain, which begins with the character burning on screen in a lava pit before being grafted to robotic arms and legs, all while visibly squirming and screaming in pain. It's a disturbing sequence; only you know if your kids are ready to experience it.

Sex: Two of the film's leads are secretly married, and there are occasional romantic moments and mild kissing. The female lead is pregnant and gives birth on screen near the end of the film in a relatively antiseptic sequence with no graphic depictions of the birthing process.

Language: Not an issue

Consumerism: Although there's no real-world product placement in the film, this series is known for its extreme merchandising, encompassing everything from toys and books to backpacks, clothing, and school supplies for children.

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